Elite Instructors

Danielle has been dancing since she was 3 years old, training in all styles with a strong focus on salsa. She began dancing professionally at 13 and has traveled the world with well-known dance companies, even performing for legendary artists like Roberto Roena, Ismael Miranda, Tito Rojas, and Eddie Palmieri. Danielle attended the Professional Performing Arts School, where she trained with Alvin Ailey Dance and continued to grow as both a dancer and performer. She is now the main salsa teacher at Elite Stars Dance Academy, where she also teaches ballet and musical theater. Danielle choreographs for all of Elite’s salsa teams, with the exception of Fuerza de Fuego, and loves sharing her experience and passion with the next generation of dancers.

Mariah is a Bronx native who started dancing at the age of 6. She will be teaching hiphop for all age groups and levels. She also teaches one beg/intermediate salsa class. Mariah is an Elite Stars alumni and has performed across various stages throughout her life including: Puerto Rico, Miami, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston and many other local areas in New York. Mariah has also danced behind many local artist in NY. She is well rounded in street dance, latin dance & commercial dance, and has been teaching the youth for 7 years now.

Maxine began dancing at the age of 6, training in ballet, salsa, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, and jazz. She trained with instructors from Alvin Ailey and competed for two years, earning multiple titles. She spent six years at Elite, performing and traveling to places such as Texas, California, Miami, Baltimore, & Puerto Rico. After graduating high school, she joined a hip-hop team in college, eventually becoming team president in her senior year. Following college, Maxine returned to Elite as a teacher and joined Moore Mambo Ladies under the direction of Stephany Moore. In the upcoming season, she will be teaching contemporary, salsa, jazz, and ballet, while continuing to choreograph for the Contemporary and All Girls Travel teams.

Steven and Steffani are a fusion dance duo that have been teaching and dancing collectively for over 15 years. Steven and Steffani have trained in styles such as hip-hop, ballroom, contemporary, salsa, bachata, merengue and musical theatre. From choreographing, competing, performing live and production, Steffani and Steven use their experience of all styles to bring something new to their pieces. At Elite, they run the bachata team and teach the teens bachata class. 

Sam danced for 10 years, and took tap for 8 of them, leading it to become one of her favorite styles. While training in dance, she also trained in Karate. Under the direction of her godfather, Joseph Rivera, and Excel Martial Arts, she went on to ultimately receive her red belt. She now continues to train in karate while pouring her passion back into the youth as an elementary art teacher, the Creative Director for Elite Stars Dance Academy, the owner and founder of Elite Stars Kids Club, and the tap and stretching and conditioning instructor.

This upcoming season, Kaitlyn will be teaching salsa and bachata, two styles that are especially close to her heart. Having been a part of the studio for 12 years, first as a student and now as an instructor, she has grown not only in technique but also in her love for dance and the incredible community that surrounds it. Kaitlyn is excited to continue sharing that passion with her students and looks forward to helping them grow in their own dance journeys.

Born and raised in Bronx,NY, Matthew was introduced to the style of step when he was in the 6th grade and taught himself. He joined a team in high school and did various performances. In college, he created a student step team and has been teaching ever since. 

 Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Oscar began his dance journey at 22 as a way to reconnect with his heritage. What started as an exploration of Latin dance, grew into a passion that has taken him across the globe, training with renowned artists and earning championship titles in cha-cha, bachata, and salsa. Since moving to NYC in 2022, Oscar has immersed himself in the heart of the global Latin dance scene, performing with the top professional teams and gracing major stages worldwide. Honoring his Afro-Latin roots, he continues to inspire others to embrace their identity and pursue their passions fearlessly. 

Brianna has been dancing since she was 4 years old, and it’s always been a part of who she is. What started as a childhood passion grew into a lifelong love for movement and expression. Now she is a Bachata dance instructor, sharing her energy, culture, and passion for dance with others. 

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